The Human Genome Project and Minority Communities: Ethical, Social, and Political Dilemmas

Zilinskas and Balint and their contributors examine the divisions between minority groups and the scientific community, particularly in the area of medical and genetic research. Minorities have reasons to be skeptical of medical research in general and genetics research in particular. The notorious Tuskegee syphilis experiment is, perhaps, only the most publicized of these.

In contrast, Zilinskas and Balint argue that the Human Genome Project has the potential to make dramatic positive contributions to the health of all human beings. Members of minority communities in particular have much to gain from innovative medical diagnostics and therapies that will result from the study of human genetics.